Hello, World! I have returned!

So, it has been quite a while since my last post, and I take full responsibility for this, but I think that as part of my (belated) New Years resolution, I should try to make a blog post at least once a week, so that 1) I can create a habit of it, 2) maybe I'll have more views, and 3) possibly get some feedback so that I can continue blogging!

First off, here are some updates!

• I am officially legally able to purchase and drink alcohol in the United States! (Cooking with wine, here we come!)
• In May, I shall be graduating! It's kind of scary, but also really exciting, because it will lead me onto new adventures...
• Speaking of which, I should be going on a new adventure...to Thailand! Here, I should be teaching English as a second language, trying all sorts of new exotic foods that I haven't gotten into yet, and learning about the culture, as well as some medical practices.
• I've also been working out more consistently. This has been ongoing since August, and it hasn't necessarily been for me to lose weight, but so that I can be more confident with my body, as well as setting up healthier habits for when I am older.
• Healthy habits, you say? Well, let's get into that another day! But for those of you who are familiar with the Greek yoghurt trend that has been happ'nin, I would suggest you go to your local food market (by local, I don't mean the Publix that is four blocs away, I mean your grocery store that predominantly sells local and organic) and look for a brand called siggi's. It is labeled as a skyr, which seems to be the traditional Icelandic yoghurt. I personally need a decent amount of protein in the morning, but I don't have a lot of time to make my egg and canadian bacon sandwich, so this is a great substitute, with a whopping 12-14 grams of protein  per serving, which is typically a 5.3oz container. It advertises 0% milkfat for many of its skyr products...which also means 0% fat for any of those weightwatchers out there. If you really want to fill yourself up but not chow down two or three cups of this fantastic magic of yoghurt, I also recommend adding some chia seed, which expands to 16 times its size when hydrated! Plus it has all sorts of other yummy good stuff to add to your health benefits.

   Now, down to business, that is, food business! While at school, I have made some new things, experimented a little, and would like to get on with more awesome experimentation. I have found out that I am quite skilled with baking, but I prefer my heartier foods like pastas and meats, etcetera.
Here are my projects in the past that I actually remembered to take pictures of:
Cinnamon Pecan Rolls

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie

 Spicy Coconut Chicken Soup

 Lowfat Grapefruit Poundcake with a Grapefruit Glaze

My first attempt at a birthday cake (White Cake, Strawberry Mousse filling, Graham Cracker covering, and almonds on the top)

Of the work I had NOT taken pictures of, there were some successes, and some...not so successes.
Avocado Lime Cupcakes(Success!), my own personal "Hodgepodge Stew,"(Success!) Chicken Piccata (Success!), Crispy Italiam Tofu and Garlic Pasta(Success!), Oreo "Truffles," (Tasty failure...) Roasted Banana Bars with Browned Butter Pecan Frosting(Success!), Butter Pecan cupcakes with Brown Sugar Icing and Maple Pecan Rum Filling (Success!), Sour Cream Cake with Peppermint Cheesecake Filling(Successful part!) and a White Chocolate Mousse Frosting (...tasty but Failed...), Dijon Brussel Sprouts (eh, they were okay, but I've done better).

There are a few recipes I would like to try in the near future, and hopefully remember to take pictures too! These may include my friend's FANTASTIC fish tacos, a chocolate hazelnut cake, a Dobos Torte (or Dobierge Cake, if that's the name you're familiar with), Caramel Frappaccino Cheesecake, Some casseroles, and finger foods for the parties I could appeal to in the food department.


I would love to start working on more recipes since I will start having more time in the near future, as well as getting my name out there as someone who could cater to small parties.
As for now, I will leave whomever off with a playlist of what music I have been listening to lately, and heads up, it will be eclectic!